Brazilian legislation provides strong protections for employees welcoming a child. Below is a detailed overview of each type of parental leave and what employees must submit to request it.
Maternity Leave (Licença‑Maternidade)
Duration:120 days (paid)
Start: May begin up to 28 days before the expected delivery date
Eligibility: Biological mothers; adoptive mothers; employees who gain legal custody for adoption purposes
What maternity leave covers
Time to prepare for childbirth
Recovery after delivery (including cesarean)
Bonding with the newborn or adopted child
Protection under job stability rules during pregnancy and return
Required Documentation
Employees must provide one of the following:
Medical certificate showing:
Expected date of delivery (EDD)
Recommendation for leave to begin early (if applicable)
Baby's birth certificate, if the leave is requested after delivery
Adoption or custody certificate, for adoptive parents
Preferred start date of maternity leave
Confirmation statement that the employee will take the full 120‑day period
Paternity Leave (Licença‑Paternidade)
Duration: 5 days (paid), starting from the child's birth date
Eligibility: Biological fathers and, in some cases, adoptive fathers/partners
Required Documentation
Employees must provide:
Child's birth certificate
Exact date of birth and preferred start date of leave
Important Notes
Paternity leave must begin immediately after birth.
If the company participates in certain optional programs (e.g., "Empresa Cidadã"), leave may be longer but only if applicable by company policy.
Important Reminders for All Parental Leave
All documents should be to Remote People Support so we can record the leave correctly and ensure social‑security compliance.
Employees must notify Remote People as early as possible when expecting a child to ensure proper documentation and payroll setup.
Other Paid Leave Types
Below is a simplified summary of additional CLT‑mandated leaves.
Bereavement Leave (Falecimento de Parente)
Duration: 2 days under CLT; 5 days for some employment categories or collective agreements
Covers: Death of spouse, ancestors, descendants, or siblings
Documentation: Death certificate
Family Care Leave
Some employers offer care leave based on internal policy or collective agreements.
Examples include:
Up to 30 days/year to care for a child under 12
Up to 15 days/year to care for other immediate family members
(Varies by employer and union agreements, not strictly CLT‑mandated)
Documentation: Medical certificate describing the relative's condition and the employee's need for presence.
Marriage Leave (Licença‑Casamento)
Duration: 3 consecutive days
Documentation: Marriage certificate (after the ceremony)
Childbirth Leave (Licença por Nascimento de Filho)
Duration: 1 business day (separate from paternity leave; typically for non‑fathers)
Documentation: Child's birth certificate
Blood Donation Leave (Doação de Sangue)
Duration: 1 day per year
Documentation: Official confirmation from the donation center
Voting Leave (Tempo para Votar)
Duration: Up to 2 hours, depending on region
Documentation: None typically required unless requested
Military Service Leave (Serviço Militar)
Granted for mandatory military activities.
Documentation: Summons or military notice
Exam Leave (Vestibular / Exam)
Duration: 1 day per exam, when related to education/professional development
Documentation: Proof of exam enrollment or attendance
Court Appearance Leave (Comparecimento em Juízo)
If the employee is officially required to appear.
Documentation: Court summons or attendance confirmation
Union Activity Leave (Atividades Sindicais)
Applies when the employee serves as a union representative.
Documentation: Union confirmation
Medical Consultation Leave
Employees are generally permitted time for medical appointments.
Documentation: Appointment confirmation or medical note
Special rules apply for prenatal examinations—these must always be fully paid.